Same here.. I know TONS of people with it... Most can tune it out with a fan or radio, TV, etc.. Its not intrusive.. My wife has pulsatile T, and and also has what she describes as a "machine sound" that has recently started.. They cause her no major distress, but she is always aware of the noises when its quiet.. She also has hyperacusis...T is very common... However we must be the "lucky" ones... Can't sleep or function, and anxiety up the wazoo.. Now thats REAL tinnitus... bob

People who have tinnitus that can be masked by a fan, IMHO, do those of us with debilitating tinnitus a disservice as we appear to be great big babies.
Sue

I have found several people that have tinnitus that cannot understand why I am distressed about it. Well, they have to listen for it - its not screeching through their brains. I don't believe that many people understand what loud invasive tinnitus is.

Yeah I think there maybe different degrees of it. mild to invasive distressing. and yes perhaps some people have been able to habituate to it. but I don't think these people have it that severe that it's driving them nutty.

I mean we are here in a support group for it because it is so distressing.

Mine is screeching right now. It's been nutty today. don't know why.

I have learned to live with it and try not to focus on it but it is there all the time. I do have other health problems so it's another thing on the list.
but it has been so bothersome and invasive to me that I have told people about it, asked doctor about it, been to ENT etc...

I don't know if these people have got to that stage where they have sought help for it? I think that can give you an idea to know the level of T that they have.

Actually, my audiologist said everyone DOES have a form of tinnitus. Many tests have been performed with people in a sound-proof room and everyone heard SOMETHING. However, as mentioned previously, some of us have absolutely debilitating tinnitus interfering with quality of life. Pat

Thats why I keep telling myself; I dont just have tinnitus, I have super-tinnitus.

"Super-tinnitus." Good description, DarkSon!

I also know many people who have T who never mentioned having it until I did--some of it is even quite loud, like a static or buzzing, but for many people it is a ringing in just one ear and sometimes it goes away for awhile. When people tell me thy have T or their dad had T, I say, "Oh does it sound like screaming teakettles or jet turbines? Does it sometimes sound like really loud hissing radiators in one ear or the other? And sometimes like a buzz saw in your brain? But always really, really high and shrill--almost up beyond normal hearing its so high? And it will change day-by-day so you never know what to expect? And sugary foods and naps make it worse?" And they will look at me with big eyes and go, "Oh, no, it's NOTHING like that!" and then tell me they have a little whine in one ear that they cover with a fan and don't even notice on most days.

Yeah, you don't have super-tinnitus then.

With all the people who have tinnitus, I was shocked when a 60-year-old woman told me a few weeks ago that she had never heard of tinnitus before!!! Whoa.

If someone asked me if I had tinnitus when I had a very mild case, I would say "Yes, I have it, only when I close my ears or lay on the left side", not during the day!

I think the mild cases are more widespread and I don't know anyone in my age group (20s) that have it.

> Actually, my audiologist said everyone DOES have a form of tinnitus.

You don't live in a sound proof room. If you don't hear it during the day, or even during the night in a normal quiet room, then I'd say you don't have tinnitus.

The meaning of "Super Tinnitus" could be. A daily relentless intrusive noise coming from within the brain in which has a high degree of auditory annoyance which interferes with activities of daily living. When one says to themselves at least 10 times a day, " Why do I have this hissing, ringing, and various tones" then it may be Super tinnitus.

An alternative to coping with tinnitus with harmful meds which in themselves may cause other harmful side effects, would be natural distractions and masking.

Masking such as ENT and neuromonics has helped many. Positive distractions relating to work and other activities, feelings of optimism by considering any bright light and pursing anything enjoyable, certainly is beneficial and actually diminishes the difficult effects of intrusive tinnitus.

My wish for any one with "Super Tinnitus", is to believe that I am making the best of it and it will be okay nevertheless.

I think some people are babies however how can one help that? We all have different thresholds regarding what we can tolerate. Some more than others. Also I seem to have 3 kinds of tinnitus. The first kind is relatively quiet and doesn't bother me at all. If that is all I would ever have it would never bother me either! I could easily live with this condition for the rest of my life. The second kind is kind of a medium level of loudness. This is only a bit annoying. The third kind is very loud to the point where it can drive you nuts. However I'm learning to live with it. I've had the condition for about 5 years and I'm gradually habituating to it. I also seem to have had some success with ginko biloba, Vitamin C, Niacin. I recently fashioned a home made low level laser device and it seems to be helping as well.

Wow! All very good posts. Not much to add to the already vast experiences of many people on here of which I can well relate!

"Super Tinnitus"

what an excellent description. sums it up for me.

Maybe super-tinnitus can be de-escalated to this come-and-go tinnitus through the various therapies, maybe that's the ultimate 'possible' at this stage is in terms of 'cure'.

Fits most of the people who say they had it but it no longer bothers them.. super-tinnitus into mini-tinnitus.

I hate it when I tell people about my T. , they look at me like "what" seems like they are someone they know has it with no problem. And lots of "friends" that I have told always look at me like I'm crazy. When someone ask me how Im doing I just keep it to myself and say Im doing ok. Life is insane as it is with this Darn T and more times than not people just dont understand!!!!!!! Im so glad for everyone here at DS that do understand!!!! Thanks All